Ordinary Miracles

What an adventure to watch RnT widen his experience of the world! Last Wednesday, the co-sleeper, playpen, bouncy seat and swing were all packed up. So for the first time, he spent a significant amount of time on a blanket on the floor.

And do you know what he found down there? His feet! They're wiggly and ever-present; what else could you want in the perfect toy?




Even though we have the swing and seat back now, the floor is now his new favorite playground. He can roll across the room, which initiates that fun phase of life where I have to rescue him from under chairs. Although the legs are fun to chew on.

He is also practicing sitting up with the Boppy pillow around him. Can crawling and sitting up really be just around the corner?

Whoever said, "Don't blink," was right.

Upon arriving at our apartment Friday morning, SK went straight to the fridge. He flung it open, and exclaimed, "This house doesn't have any food!" He was seriously worried.

We assured him that we would go to the store and buy some food for the naked refrigerator. It wasn't until we were eating Chinese Noo-noos (noodles) at lunch that he seemed to relax and accept that we weren't going to let him go hungry.

House shopping is really interesting with a preschooler. He now checks the refrigerators at all the houses we view. Some are empty, others are not. All are fascinating.













Also of great interest are cardboard boxes. I now know why they inducted an empty cardboard box into the National Toy Hall of Fame. It is a spaceship, a train, an animal cave, portable/stackable climbing blocks, and perhaps most importantly, a hiding place.

Everybody, meet Cheech. He's the newest addition to our family.






Cheech was a reward of sorts. SK was incredibly pleasant and accomodating on our drive out. He really embraced the adventure! We waved hello to all the motorcycles (including a club from Ft. Hood!), looked at all the semi-trucks, saw the Mississippi River, went up on tall bridges, and stopped at a lot of Cracker Barrels. We boogied and rocked and yee-hawed and chilled. We played with Noah's Ark figurines (there was a pig that was named Wilbur, if you can imagine that), the Dangerous Turtle named Righteous, and his learn-your-letters-and-numbers steering wheel.

We figured that any preschooler who can be cheerful over 3 days travel--about 20 hours on the road--should get to have some fun. Hence the acquisition of Cheech.

KiSA is great about making things fun. They had some special father-son time Saturday, which in addition to a visit to the pet store, included a hair cut. I think SK may have been tired in the after picture. What do you think?

On Wednesday, we were trying to explain to SK what was going to happen in our move. The moving company brought out a semi truck to load up our earthly goods. So KiSA told him that Mack--as in the character from Pixar's Cars movie--was going to take our things to our new home for us. SK's eyes got so big, and suddenly this moving thing became very exciting.

It was hard to watch them load up his toys. I was very proud that he was able to trust them to take his things away. This afternoon, his patience was rewarded when the truck showed up and they began bringing in his toys and stuffed animals. It was a lot of fun to see him reunited with his favorites, and rediscover some new toys.

There will have to be more later; I am very tired. But it's a happy, good tired.

--That's what SK says when he cries, "My tears want to come out." And today, mine did. It was a day of goodbyes.

I had to say "see you later" to my parents. It was precious, and tender, but unbelievably hard. I can't really write about that yet.

It was out last day at church (for now, I told myself). Our church family has indeed become a family to us. In one letter, a friend wrote that she feels like we've known each other for so much longer than we have. It's true. I've bonded very closely with many people, more closely than our time together lends itself to. That's what happens when we commune together with the Holy Spirit, and serve the Lord together.

There are so many things I will miss. Worshipping with the choir was such pure joy; and a taste of heaven. Listening to our head pastor preach was like sitting at the feet of my spiritual grandfather. The elders and staff were my covering and my leaders in several tangible and powerful ways.

Our Adult Bible Fellowship class has loved us like we've been there 20 years. They prayed over us, and gave us cards and gifts and encouragement and a darling little scrapbook, which I will treasure.

My Celebrate Recovery family was also very special to me. I'm so sad that I was not able to make the last meeting; I was so exhausted that night, I could barely hold my eyes open. It doesn't seem right to leave without a goodbye, but the situation is what it is.

And how could I forget my mentor? She poured so much truth into my heart. She sat in the middle of my knotted up messes and helped me untangle more than a little bit.

Some friends from our former life group had us over for dinner, playing and visiting. It was nice to get away from the house for a bit, and wonderful to spend time with them.

I could go on and on. Maybe I should, but for now, I am so deep down in my bones tired. And ardently longing for heaven, when there will be no more goodbyes.

Happy Four Month Birthday, little boy blue!













You are rolling over from your front to your back, and from your back to your side. You are playing yourself to sleep. You've discovered your soft lovey and you caress your face with it. I've found you fast asleep in your bed, lovey clutched in one hand, and the thumb of the other hand jammed into your mouth.













You love to watch your big brother, and grin whenever he comes close. You will even stop nursing to look around for him if you think he's close. You can grab a toy and pull it to your mouth. You get so excited about new noises and sights that you will shake all over.

The world is getting more exciting for you every day. You are wearing 6-9 months clothes!

This is Miss C; she took care of you this spring. She also made you the pretty, soft blanket that feels like one huge satin tag.

He has found his thumb! I repeat, he has found his thumb!




This is a glorious, magnificent, joyous, and momentous discovery.








Now, don't write me about your 13-year old who still sucks his/her thumb. Please, let me relish this in ignorance. Thank you.








Just in case you didn't see it the first time, here's a close-up. Isn't he cute?

Happy three month birthday, baby!














Your cuteness defies description; no adjective does justice to your sweetness. We adore you, little boy!

Guess what SK brought home from preschool? Yup, the easiest kind of pet in the world, a CHIA!














I have a small mountain of artwork accumulating from all his church activities; I can't bear to throw it away. Here is a small sampling of stuff that is on my fridge.














KiSA thought that a chart would help our efforts toward diaper independence. It did help, especially when we remembered to give out the stickers. I'm thinking some Spiderman underpants might also aid our cause.














He had his first dentist visit. The local pediatric dentist goes to our church, he and his staff made it a wonderful experience. SK was really a Super Kid, sitting still and cooperating with their every request. Unfortunately, the little guy is going to need some work done. But brave trooper that he is, I'm sure it will go just fine!

Since the moving company will be here in 3 days, I guess it's really going to happen. We're moving! It has been less than two months since we started talking about this change, and now here we are, gearing up for a new and exciting journey.

We're going to upstate South Carolina. KiSA has secured a position with a company there that we are very excited about.

This is, of course, going to be a tremendous change. We are sad to leave, excited to go, thankful and a more than a little challenged. We appreciate your prayers and support, and would love to have them continue. God has worked out so many details and big things too, so we know we can trust Him with this path.

Our church presented the musical, "Jesus, Son of God" a couple of weeks ago. One of the songs they performed was the "Great Adventure" by Stephen Curtis Chapman. "Saddle up your horses/we got a trail to blaze," it said. "This is the great adventure," of following God.